At The Marine Drive

‘Care for a walk down the Marine Drive!’

I boldly asked, and you said,

‘Why not?’

We left the car and took to the broad seaside way

To begin our casual stroll.

Nowadays, I use a walking stick.

The sea-breeze blowing in

Made the evening for us very pleasant;

The sea wasn’t rough

And there was the music of the waves afloat,

With it, romance was in the air.

I remember,

I was blown back several decades

To the time I just stepped out of my teens.

Often I had watched you spend time

At the Gateway with your family,

And listened to the tinkle of your laughter

Which made my day.

I did not know you then, not even your name;

I merely looked at you and wanted you to be mine.

Today when I sought your hand, held it in my palm,

I felt you tense and then relax,

We had never walked hand in hand

On the Marine Drive, ever before.

A new experience for both should we say.